Eucalyptus saligna

Sydney Blue Gum

A familiar sight in California and Arizona, rapid-growing, long-lived eucalyptuses are a varied lot. Also called gum trees, they range from shrubby, vinelike plants to huge trees, with different leaf and flower shapes on each. In general, though, leaves are crisp, leathery and usually aromatic. The flowers are fluffy, and the flat-topped seed capsules are woody. Some varieties have white or pink flowers that are a source of honey. Some tolerate extreme heat and cold, others are fairly drought-tolerant. Buy the smallest plant you can find so that it will not be root bound. Chlorosis affects some species in alkaline soil. In California, the eucalyptus longhorn beetle is a deadly pest.

This narrow tree is dense when young, then thins out. Its shedding bark is pinkish to red.